Method and system for displaying data

ABSTRACT

A system is disclosing having a portable device, a computer, a network, and a display system. The portable device includes an input means for entering data and a wireless transceiver for transmitting the data and receiving messages. The computer includes an application and a display, the application includes a filter that checks the data against a list of words and indicates on the display if the data contains at least one of the words. The network is operatively connected to the portable device and the computer. The display system is connected to the computer and includes a display screen where the data is automatically displayed on the display screen for a predetermined period of time.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/571,376, filed on May 14, 2004, which is incorporated herein byreference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to displaying data entered by aparticipant of an event via a portable electronic device, and morespecifically, the present invention relates to displaying a text messagefor others to view on a common display screen wherein the text messageis delivered from a portable electronic device in response to an eventdriven prompt.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Involving participants in events, such as contests or other forms ofentertainment, can be done in a variety of ways. These can includecall-in contests hosted by radio stations to raffles or lotteries basedon the selection of a matching ticket or number. However, the methodsused to date have only limited appeal and lack substantive interactionbetween the participants and the event organizers.

Accordingly, event organizers are always looking for intriguingmechanisms to involve the public in the event and to generate furtherinterest by the participants. However, only very limited use, if any, ismade of the technology that is virtually accessible to all suchparticipants. In this regard, the present invention takes advantage ofthe proliferation of portable electronic devices having text messagingand/or photograph sending capabilities, to create an event where theuser's of such devices can actively participate.

The present invention solves the problems described above as well asother problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a system andmethod for displaying a text message for others to view.

More specifically, the present invention is directed to a systemcomprising a portable electronic device, a computer, a network forallowing communication between the portable electronic device and thecomputer, and a display system for displaying a message received by thecomputer from the portable device. The portable device includes an inputmeans for entering data. This can be in the form, for example, of a textmessage. The portable device also includes a wireless transceiver fortransmitting the data and receiving messages. The computer includes anapplication (i.e., a program) and a computer display screen. Theapplication includes a filter that checks the data against a list ofwords (or uses some other criteria for filtering data received by thecomputer over the network) and indicates on the computer display screenif the data contains at least one of the words. The filter can also usewildcard characters that stand for one or more characters. The networkis operatively connected to the portable device and the computer. Thedisplay system is operatively coupled to the computer and includes asecond display screen (i.e., distinct from the typical display screenassociated with the computer) wherein the filtered data is automaticallydisplayed on the display screen for a predetermined period of time. Thesystem is configured to receive data from a plurality of portableelectronic devices that can transmit data over the network, and thuspotentially display a data from more than one device on the displaysystem.

In another embodiment of the invention, a system is provided comprisinga portable electronic device, a computer, a network, and a displaysystem. The portable device has a camera for entering a photograph and awireless transceiver for transmitting the photograph and receivingmessages. The computer has an application and a computer display screen.The network is operatively connected to the portable device and thecomputer. Further, the display system is operatively coupled to thecomputer and has a display screen wherein the photograph isautomatically displayed on the display screen for a predetermined periodof time.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, a method is providedcomprising transmitting data from a portable device comprising an inputmeans for entering the data and a wireless transceiver for transmittingthe data and receiving messages. The method further includes filteringthe data with a computer comprising an application and a display, theapplication comprising a filter that checks the data against a list ofwords or characters containing wildcard characters, and indicates on thedisplay if the data contains at least one of the words, and,transmitting the data from the portable device to the computer via anetwork operatively connected to the portable device and the computer.

In yet a further embodiment of the invention, a method is providedcomprising the steps of entering a photograph via a portable electronicdevice comprising a camera and a wireless transceiver for transmittingthe photograph and receiving messages. The method further includesdisplaying the photograph on the display of a computer executing anapplication, transmitting the photograph from the portable device to thecomputer via a network operatively connected to the portable device andthe computer, and displaying the photograph via a separate displaysystem connected to the computer and comprising a display screen.

The disclosed systems and methods can be utilized to allow people toparticipate in an event, such as a contest, poll, game or other form ofentertainment. Each participant can utilize a portable electronicdevice, such as a cell phone, PDA, laptop computer, etc., to enter amessage and/or photo, etc., in response to some prompt or activityinvolved in the event. For example, a contest can be set up at alocation, such as a bar or restaurant, that rewards the 100^(th) personto text the word “WIN” to a special number (e.g., a telephone numberthat is associated with the computer). The winner can be given cash,tickets to another event or any other reward. As each participant sendsthe text message, the computer filters the messages for the word “WIN”and displays each participant's message having this word (possibly withan indication of the participant's name or last four numbers of theirphone number, and rank—e.g., 68^(th) response) on the display system.The display system is typically a large screen that is centrally locatedat the event. In this manner, the participants can actively be involvedwith the contest. The system can be programmed to automatically send amessage back to each participant. Multiple variations of the aboveexample are readily possible utilizing the system.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following specification taken in conjunction with the followingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a system in accordance with thepresent invention having a computer with a display;

FIG. 2 is a window provided on the computer display of FIG. 1, thewindow having a messages received work area wherein the telephonenumbers within the mobile origination;

FIG. 3 is a partial view of the window of FIG. 2 with a selection boxbeing opened to provide a user with a plurality of options regarding aselected message;

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 2 wherein within the messages received workarea received pictures are displayed instead of the incoming textmessages;

FIG. 5 is a statistics page generated by the system of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 6 is another statistics page generated by the system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail a preferred embodiment of the present invention with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as anexemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intendedto limit the broad aspect of the present invention to the embodimentillustrated.

Turning to FIG. 1, a simplified block diagram of a system in accordancewith the present invention is depicted. The system 10 includes, but isnot necessarily limited to, portable electronic device(s) 12, computer14, network 18, and display system 20.

The portable electronic device 12 can be a conventional cellulartelephone capable of transmitting text messages. Accordingly, portabledevice 12 has a means for entering data comprising a keypad, touchpad,touch screen or the like. Portable device 12 also has a conventionalwireless transceiver for transmitting the data (e.g., text messages) andreceiving data (e.g., text messages) over the network 18. The networkcan comprise a cellular telephone network, Wi-Fi network, or otherwireless network. The cellular telephone can also include a means fortaking a photograph, attaching the photograph to a text message, andsending the text message with the photograph attached thereto.

In an alternative embodiment, the portable electronic device 12 is aconventional personal digital assistance (PDA), hand-held computer,pocket computer, or the like, having networking features via a cellulartelephone connection, Wi-Fi connection, Bluetooth connection, wirelessEthernet connection, or other wireless connection methodology. Theportable device 12 can also be a conventional pager having a keyboard orother input means.

Preferably, as indicated previously, the portable device 12 can transmitdata in the form of text messages. As will be appreciated by thosehaving ordinary skill in the art, and as used herein, text messages useshort message service (SMS), enhanced messaging service (EMS), ormultimedia messaging service (MMS), or the like, as the deliverymechanism for the messages. As such, the text messages sent by theportable device 12 can be stored by the network and delivered to therecipient's mobile device whenever the recipient's mobile device becomesavailable (i.e., connected to the network). Accordingly, unlessspecifically indicated otherwise, the phrases “text messaging” and “textmessage” pertain to non-voice messaging (i.e., text message transfer)that commonly, but not necessarily, takes place between two or moremobile devices using SMS, EMS, MMS, or the like. In yet anotherembodiment, the data can be emails, instead of text messages.

The infrastructure for transferring the text messages is a conventionalcellular network or system 18 having at least one cell site withportable device 12 connected thereto via a wireless link. Network 18 canuse analog technology, digital technology, or both analog and digitaltechnology. As will be understood by those having ordinary skill in theart, the digital technology can be based on CDMA (IS-95), GSM, TDMA(IS-136) or the like. Further, network 18 preferably supports textmessaging, such as SMS, in a conventional manner.

In an embodiment, the data can be sent from the portable device 12 usingan address comprising a telephone number or a conventional common shortcode or an Internet address (i.e., URL). As known by those havingordinary skill in the art, a short code has fewer digits than a 10-digittelephone number. Currently, short codes can be purchased or leased fromCommon Short Code Administration at usshortcodes.com or though a mobileapplication provider.

If a short code is to be used, the users of portable device(s) 12 aremade aware of the short code by using the display system to display theshort code, or through other means such as using an audiblenotification, a television or radio announcement, a personal addresssystem, or the like. The users of the portable devices 12 then addresstext messages to the common short code number and enter text into themessage. Once the users send the messages, the messages are routedthrough the wireless service provider's network to the SMS messagingserver. The SMS messaging server then determines where to route themessages based on to which common short code the messages are addressed.

In FIG. 1, the computer 14 is a conventional device such as a laptopcomputer having a built in computer display screen, or a desk topcomputer coupled to a computer display screen. The computer 14 isconnected to the network 18 and configured so the computer 14 canreceive text messages from portable device(s) 12 and the computer canalso send text messages to the portable device(s) over the network 18.

As such, the computer 14 can be connected to the cellular network in aconventional manner such as by using a wireless PC card modem thatsupports text messaging capabilities over SMS, EMS, MMS, or the like. Inan alternative embodiment, the computer 14 can be connected to network18 via a conventional telephone line, cable, or the like.

In another embodiment, the computer 14 obtains data such as textmessages and pictures from a second computer 28 that is also connectedto the network 18. In this embodiment, the second computer 28 initiallyreceives the text messages and/or pictures from the portable device(s)12 and forwards the received data to the first computer 14.

Loaded onto the computer 14 is an application (i.e., computer program)that provides a control window 30 (FIG. 2) on the computer display. Asshown in FIG. 2, the window 30 includes a program control work area 32,a preview screen work area 34, a messages received work area 36, and, adisplay message control area 38.

The program control work area 32 allows a user to insert items into thepreview screen 34 via controls buttons, pull-down menus, or the like.Items that can be inserted into the preview screen 34 include, butshould not be limited to, captions, backgrounds, video clips, pictures,advertisements, video clips of television commercials, html, flash, andthe like. Further, the program control work area 32 also includes acreate message text box wherein a user can enter a message that will beinserted within the preview screen 34.

In the program control work area 32, one or more combo boxes 41 areprovided wherein the boxes contain pre-built templates or other itemsthat can be selected for insertion into the preview screen 34. Asindicated previously, the combo boxes 41 can contain file names oftemplates or other items such as, but not limited to captions,backgrounds, video clips, pictures, advertisements, and the like. Oncean item is inserted within the preview screen 34, the item can bedragged to a desired location within the screen.

The program control work area 32 can also include program buttons oricons 43 wherein selecting one of the buttons causes the preview screen32 to automatically cycle through templates stored within a backgroundor promotion file folder. Further, selecting another program buttoncauses the preview screen 32 to execute what has been selected withinthe combo boxes.

The messages received work area 36 includes a text message tab 37 and apicture message tab 39. Under the text message tab 37, recently receivedtext messages are displayed with a date/time receipt and the mobileoriginator telephone number.

As shown in FIG. 2, highlighted bar 40 indicates the current position ofthe message to be displayed by the display system. Preferably, the mostrecent messages are located at the top of the list within work area 36.As explained in detail further herein, when new messages arrive, theyundergo filtering and, if applicable, any filtered messages areindicated with a tag (e.g., asterisks), colored background 42, or thelike. In one embodiment, if a message is filtered, then it will not beautomatically displayed by the system on the display screen 22.

In addition to automatic filtering, a user of the computer 14 can alsomanually filter out any message by clicking on the message. As shown inFIG. 3, after clicking on the message, the user is provided with aselection box whereby the message can be replied to, deleted, or thesender can be blocked from sending messages for display. If the userselects replying to the message, the user is provided with a textmessage box (not shown), wherein the user can enter and send a personalreply message.

Likewise, a user of the computer 14 can also manually override anymessage that is filtered by the system by clicking on the message thathas been filtered. As such, a user is provided with a selection box foroverride the filtering of the message. Thus, the filtered message willbe displayed by the system.

Preferably, an automated reply message is sent by the system in responseto each message received by computer 14 back to the specific portabledevice 12 that sent the first message to the computer. The reply messagecan be generated and sent by the computer 14, computer 28, the textmessaging service, or the like.

Turning to FIG. 4, by clicking on the picture message tab 37 (FIG. 2),picture messages are shown in the messages received work area 36. Thepictures messages can be refreshed by clicking on a refresh button 50that is provided when the picture message tab 37 has be selected. Inaddition, a total picture counter is updated within the display messagecontrol area 38. In an alternative embodiment, received pictures can bedisplayed in an ongoing loop wherein each picture is displayed multipletimes. Moreover, the pictures can be automatically refreshed without theneed for a refresh button 50 or selecting the picture message tab.Further, artificial intelligence can be used to filter through thepictures.

The pictures displayed in work area 36 are selected for placement withinthe preview screen 34 by clicking on the desired picture. Requiring theuser to manually select the picture that is placed in the preview screen34, instead of automatically placing the picture, allows the user ofcomputer 14 to visually filter through the pictures (and thus remove anyinappropriate or irrelevant pictures).

In one embodiment, if the picture was sent with a text message, then thetext message is also provided on the preview screen 34 with the picture.Once the picture is on the preview screen 34, the user can move thepicture on the screen and resize the picture by click-dragging on anycorner of the image. Further, by right clicking the image, the user canbe provided with a menu pop-up box (not shown) for rotating the image,adjusting the color of the image, and the like.

Turning back to FIG. 2, the display message control area 38 includes aplay button, a message rate slider bar, a ‘show two messages’ selectbox, and a ‘chat mode’ select box. Selecting the play button results inthe computer 14 causing the display system 20 to visually display whatis on the preview screen 34 at the time the play button was selected.

The message rate slider within control area 38 allows a user to selectthe rate at which incoming messages are displayed. In one embodiment,the fastest rate the messages are displayed is about as fast as they canbe read. Further, the slowest rate the messages can be displayed is arate wherein the currently displayed message is never changed.

In one embodiment, the computer 14 (FIG. 1) receives data (i.e., textmessages and photographs) over the Internet. As such, an Internetconnection status indicator 46 can be included within control area 38. Ared indicator can be used to indicate an Internet connection cannot beestablished. Likewise, a green indicator can indicate an Internetconnection is established. Moreover, the display message control area 38can also include a message count indicator wherein the total number ofmessages and pictures are displayed.

In FIG. 2, the “show two messages” selection box within control area 38allows the user to select if two messages are to be displayed togetherby the display system 20. In an embodiment, the two messages can bedisplayed wherein one message is displayed above the other message, andboth messages are contained within separate box-like borders. In afurther embodiment, more than two message can be displayed such asthree, four, or more.

Also in FIG. 2, the “chat mode” selection box within control area 38allows the user to select if two or more messages are to be displayedtogether by the display system 20. In a preferred embodiment, selecting“chat mode” causes four messages to be displayed wherein each message iscontained within a differently colored-filled box. Moreover, in “chatmode” four digits are shown with each message wherein the digitsrepresent the last digits of the phone number or other identificationassociated the sender of the message.

Control area 38 can also include a new picture indicator 48 comprising acolored flashing icon or other indicator. The purpose of the indicator48 is to alert the user when additional pictures have been received. Inone embodiment, the pictures are initially received and downloaded froma server or other computer 28 connected to network 18. As such, thepictures are downloaded when the user selects the refresh picturesbutton 50 (FIG. 4).

As indicated previously, the application loaded on the computer 14(FIG. 1) can include a filter module or program wherein each textmessage received by the computer is checked against a list of wordscontained in a database stored in the computer memory. The words withinthe database can be edited (i.e., added or deleted) by the user of thecomputer. Moreover, the database can also contain character stringshaving wildcard characters that stand for one or more characters. Forexample, an asterisk (*) in a character string can stand for anycombination of letters. Thus, if the character string “pat*nt” is in thedatabase, then a message containing the word “patent” will be filtered.

When a text message contains at least one word in the database, the useris provided with a visual or audible notification or tag such as themessage being highlighted as shown by shaded background 42 in FIG. 2(the highlighting can be any color supported by the computer display).The tag can be removed by the user clicking the message, wherein themessage will be displayed via the display system 20 with the othermessages received. Alternatively, the user can have the messageautomatically deleted.

Referring to FIG. 1, the display system 20 is operatively connected tocomputer 14. Display system 20 can include a display screen 22 whereinthe text messages received by computer 14 are shown on the displayscreen. As explained previously, the text messages are shownsequentially, wherein each message is shown for a predetermined periodof time that can be set by the user via the application on the computer14. The display system can comprise, for example, a projector andscreen, a projection television, a projection monitor, a cathode raytube display, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an array oflight bulbs or light emitting diodes. The display screen of the systemcan be positioned to allow participants to view the screen during theevent. For example, the screen can be centrally located in a bar orrestaurant, mounted near a disc jockey or band, or positioned above acourt in an arena.

The system described herein can be used during events to promote goodsor services. For example, the system can be used at a bar, restaurant,sporting event, concert, movie theater, outdoor billboard having adisplay, or the like for promoting a beverage. As such, the imageprovided by display system 20 can include the text message and anadvertisement, logo, or other promotional indicia. The image can alsoinclude video clips, photos, or other entertaining segments.

Components of the system can be mobile such as, but not necessarilylimited to, computer 14 and display system 20. This allows for thecontrol and display of the text messages at an event or venue 24 thatmay last for a short period of time such as one day or evening.Accordingly, the mobile components can be provided where needed at thevenue 24, such as near a disc jockey or a band, in a bar, at arestaurant, at a concert, at a sporting event, in a parking lot of afacility hosting an event. Therefore, the user can directly observe theevent while controlling the text messages and other informationdisplayed on the display screen 22.

As a result of a suitable viewing venue being located outside, it may bedesirable to provide the display system 20 on a large mobile platform.For instance, the display system 20, and in particular the screen 22,can be mounted to a truck, tractor-trailer, or other large mobileplatform.

If desired, computer 28 can collect statistical data regarding textmessages sent during one or more events. The computer 28 can generateweb pages 52 (FIGS. 5 and 6) with the statistical data shown in charts,graphs, and the like. In an embodiment, the web pages can be accessed byanother authorized computer over the Internet.

While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described,numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing fromthe spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limitedby the scope of the accompanying Claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for displaying data comprising: a portable device comprising an input means for entering text message data and a wireless transceiver for transmitting the text message data, via a short message service, and receiving messages, the text message data comprising an original first message containing one of either at least one prohibited word, at least one picture, or both or an original second message containing a filtered form of the original first message; a computer comprising an application and a first display screen, the application comprising a work area for displaying any pictures in the original first message and a filter that checks the original first message against a list comprising said at least one prohibited word and provides an indication on the first display that the original first message contains said at least one prohibited word, wherein the original first message can be approved for display on a second display screen to create an approved first message; and a display system operatively coupled to the computer and comprising the second display screen mounted in a public forum wherein a plurality of original second messages and approved first messages are automatically and simultaneously displayed on the second display screen for a predetermined period of time and original first messages are not automatically displayed on the second display screen.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the portable device is a cellular telephone.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein a network is operatively connected to the portable device.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the display screen is mounted within a bar wherein patrons of the bar can view the display screen.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the text message data within the original first message is filtered again after the filter checks the text message data.
 6. A method comprising the steps of: receiving, via a short message service, text message data from at least one portable device having an input means for entering the text message data and a wireless transceiver for transmitting the text message data and receiving text messages, the text message data comprising an original first message containing one of either at least one prohibited word, at least one picture, or both or an original second message containing a filtered form of the first message; filtering the original first message with a computer comprising an application and a first display, the application comprising a work area for displaying any pictures in the original first message and a filter program that checks the original first message against a list comprising said at least one prohibited word and provides an indication on the first display that the original first message contains said at least one prohibited word, wherein the original first message containing one of either said at least one prohibited word, at least one picture, or both can be approved for display on a second display screen to create an approved first message; automatically and simultaneously displaying for a period of time a plurality of original second messages and approved first messages via a display system connected to the computer, the display system comprising a second display screen mounted in a public forum wherein original first messages are not automatically displayed on the second display screen.
 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the steps of: transmitting the data from the portable device to the computer via a network operatively connected to the portable device and the computer.
 8. The method of claim 6 further comprising the steps of: receiving data from a plurality of portable devices; filtering the data from each additional device; and, displaying the filtered data on the second display screen.
 9. The method of claim 6 wherein the portable device is a cellular phone.
 10. The method of claim 6 wherein the portable device is a personal digital assistant (PDA).
 11. The method of claim 6 wherein the second display screen is a projection screen.
 12. The method of claim 6 wherein the text message data within the original first message is filtered again after the step of filtering the text message data. 